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The differences between conventional and electrostatic paint spray guns
Comparing the strengths and weaknesses of conventional and electrostatic spray guns.
Selecting the right spray gun for your application is important for optimising transfer efficiency. The challenge is choosing the applicator that maximises the spray performance for your specific application. This article serves as your guide when selecting the optimal spray applicator.
Conventional spray applicators and electrostatic spray applicators both have their strengths and weaknesses. In general, electrostatic spray applicators enable excellent performance, finish quality and transfer efficiency, but are more expensive than conventional spray applicators.
Finish quality
Conventional spray applicators
- High finish quality
- Only cover the surface directly in front of the spray gun
Electrostatic spray applicators
- Excellent finish quality
- Wraps the material around the part
Transfer efficiency
Conventional spray applicators
- Low transfer efficiency
- A lot of overspray
Electrostatic spray applicators
- Up to 90% transfer efficiency
- Minimum overspray
Investment
Conventional spray applicators
- Cost-effective solutions
Electrostatic spray applicators
- Calls for a larger initial investment, but with a quick return on investment (lower paint cost, less VOCs, less clean-up and increased throughput)
Applications
Conventional spray applicators
Designed to optimize spray performance for:
- General metal
- Wood
- Plastic finishing applications
Electrostatic spray applicators
Designed to maximize spray performance for:
- General metal
- Wood
- Plastic
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Construction finishing applications
Conclusion
Electrostatic spray applicators wrap the material around the part, minimising overspray and thus saving on material, labour and clean-up costs. Because of these important cost savings and the enhanced throughput, the larger investment costs of electrostatic spray guns can be recovered in a relatively short time.
An overview of the complete Graco range
Graco has a wide range of high-quality spray applicators. We offer both conventional and electrostatic spray applicators with different technologies and characteristics. Whatever the desired finish quality, transfer efficiency, controllability or job size, you will always find a solution that meets your specific requirements. If you are looking for the applicator with the highest transfer efficiency, the ProBell® Rotary Atomiser [M1] is your best bet. When its advanced atomisation and shaping air technology is combined with electrostatics, the ProBell can achieve an incredible transfer efficiency of up to 95%!
ELECTROSTATIC SPRAYING WITH WATERBORNE MATERIALS
Would you like to read more about the differences between conventional spraying solutions and electrostatic systems using waterborne materials? Are you looking for a spraying solution that can be used in a wide range of applications? Be sure to check out the HydroShield TM system, the safest and most operator-friendly electrostatic spraying solution on the market.
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Lift your spraying precision to another level with the ProBell Rotary Atomiser
Discover the many benefits of Graco’s ProBell Rotary Applicator series for automatic painting applications.
